A few of his favourite things

Junior (my 4 year old) is obsessed with construction. He is forever making things and then cluttering up the top of the piano with his current favourites. It has got to the stage that each evening we have a purge and he has to choose one favourite construction to leave out and the rest get packed away.
He has always loved his Lego Duplo but this year he has moved on to the real thing and is constantly getting out the box of small Lego blocks and making something new or altering a work in progress.
He is also very keen on box construction. This is very environmentally friendly as he is constantly raiding the recycling bin for the right piece to add to his masterpiece. I'm forever returning the constructions to the recycle bin but he loves it and it only costs me a bit of tape. Well actually a lot of tape but you can't stem his creative urge. After weeks of his frustration wresting with a role of sticky tape, I lashed out and bought a large, heavy based tape dispenser. It is large enough to hold a thin roll of sticky tape and masking tape and Junior is so happy with it.
Another long term favourite is his box of Liquid Crayon markers. They are a bit pricey but his Aunt (a year one teacher) put us on to them and they really are great. They have given him hours and hours of entertainment and are still going strong.

We Play with water

The weather is starting to warm up in Perth and with a series of warm afternoons the boys have been enjoying a little bit of water play.
While it isn't quite hot enough to get out the paddling pool (although Junior might think otherwise) we have been having fun with buckets, bottles, funnels and spray bottles.
Yesterday we also made an ice and salt sculpture - an idea I found in MaryAnn Kohl's fantastic book Science Art. We added a few drops of food colouring to a spray bottle of warm salty water and squirted away to sculpt a large block of ice.
Junior was quite engrossed in this for a while and then set his sculpture out on the outdoor table to watch it slowly melt. Rascal was more interested in experimenting with the spray bottle.
What have you been playing with this week. “Come over and play at the Childhood 101 We Play link up”

Worthwhile work

Today I left some dirty dishes, the bed I made at three

The nappies left a little longer, the odour growing stronger

The crumbs I spilt the day before are staring at me from the floor

The fingerprints there on the wall, will likely still be there next fall

The dirty streaks on the window panes will still be there next time it rains

"Shame on you old Lazy Bones" you say,

"And just what have you done today?"

I nursed a baby till he slept, I held a toddler while he wept

I played a game of hide-and-seek, I squeezed a toy so it would squeak

I pulled a wagon, sang a song, taught a child right from wrong

What did I do this whole day through? Not much that shows,

I guess it's true

Unless you think that what I've done, might be important to a little one

With bright shining eyes and soft fine hair

If that is true, I've done my share

Anon

I just came across this and it sort of summed up my day (although it doesn't mention the little rant I had this morning)! Hope you had a good weekend.

We Play with Wind Wands

Junior and I dropped into a local newsagency this morning and found a whole box of these ribbons on sale. I thought they would be perfect for making a wind wand which I have been planning to do with the boys for month since seeing them in lots of blog posts recently.
I grabbed a cane stake from the garden shed and cut it in half to make handles for two wands and then Junior chose the colours and helped cut the ribbon into suitable lengths.
He also had the task of giving the wind wands a trial whirl in the front yard while Rascal has his nap - all ready for some playtime when he woke up. Lots of fun and oh so easy.
What have you been playing with this week. “Come over and play at the Childhood 101 We Play link up”

We Play at the Zoo

Aussie Dad has a couple of weeks off work to help us all settle into life with a new baby, so today we took advantage of having Dad home and we all visited the Perth Zoo.
We have been meaning to renew our membership for months but with the sun shining and everyone in a good mood we finally got around to it. Rascal, who was only a baby last time we visited, particularly loved it and indulged his current passion for Penguins spending ages watching them swimming and diving. The African savannah and primates were also popular as was the carousel. A great morning out and the start of a regular family outing. Where have you been playing this week? “Come over and play at the Childhood 101 We Play link up”

Happy Fathers Day

Happy Fathers Day Aussie Dad (and all those dads out there). Hope you have a great day and that you love your new present!
Lots of love from Junior, Rascal and Puggle.

Puggles present

My very talented friend and neighbour dropped by recently to deliver these gorgeous presents for puggle and I just had to share them with you.
A beautiful baby quilt (to match his big brothers quilts) ...
... and his very first book - all about his family.
She also knitted him a beautiful little vest which I can't wait to try on him (pictures to come). Thanks so much Jennifer we love them.